WhatsApp is set to roll out a new security feature designed to help users identify potentially suspicious contacts before opening conversations.
According to reports, the feature will be available on both Android and iOS devices.
It will introduce a warning on the screen when a user attempts to start or open a chat with a phone number that is not saved in their contacts.
Reports indicate that the warning will appear before a conversation is opened, giving users additional information about the unknown contact and encouraging them to assess whether the interaction is legitimate.
WhatsApp is set to roll out new tools to identify scammers
The move is aimed to make it more difficult for scammers to trick users into granting them access to their accounts.
Scammers often rely on social engineering rather than passwords, persuading users to enter a verification code or approve a request that allows criminals to link another device to their WhatsApp account.
The new security feature will be designed to intervene before users complete actions that could give fraudsters access.
The warning screen will display useful details about unknown contacts, including the phone number’s country code and whether the user shares any mutual groups with the sender.
The information will help users determine whether the contact appears genuine before engaging in a conversation.
Additionally, users who believe a contact may be suspicious will also provided with options to block or report the number immediately without opening the chat
